After posting my Large Wheel Kerfing Jig, I have to add this major modification to its Indexer I dragged over from LJ, which was eventually published back on Nov 5, 2018.
Anyone interested in my links, please ignore the ones in the "migrated text" and use the following….
Well a bloody lot but little relating to this topic. This is my second project that has surpassed all my expectations.
The indexer on my original kerfing jig worked well, however, it was a pain to fabricate and had to be exact. Muck up one measurement, even slightly and after the assembly, if it played up, I would have had to start again.
I was inspired by J'1974 with his perforated exhaust heat shield and over a few casks, decided that this could be the excuse for another jig… I should have been an Irishman!
My primary thought behind the jig was the need for a simple indexer, however, my main apprehension was driven by the desire not to use the kerfing jig's indexer.
Hit SketchUp and came up with a concept that I thought would befit my kerfing jig.
As I had an order for the jig, I decided to supply it with the new indexer, which was much better than what I previously supplied, being just instructions for the recipient to make hisr (do you like like the "gender neutral"?) own indexing pin out of dowels. With this new design I could supply the indexer with the jig.
Anyway got it into the kerfing model and redesigned the body with the new indexer and removing all the holes required for the old one,
The main challenge I thought I'd have to face is to find the right type of spring. Well lo and behold we just had a recent sale on at our local Mitre 10… bloody Churchill has no shops but a bleeding KFC (my least favourite junk food) and a Mitre 10… and there was a box of springs for a couple of dollars on offering that I bought just in case.
Foraged through the box, stretched a few, for exercise, and found one that I thought would fit the bill.
I made the full range of indexers (18, 20, 24, 30 and 36 which are the ones that have been used in the T&J models I've been exposed to).
Now the old indexer was out of 3mm MDF and this new one was 6mm, so I had to provide a few packers to make up the extra 3mm. The appropriate 6mm will be in any new jig.
Slapped it together and not having used the jig for a while, had to read the manual of how to assemble it for tablesaw use.
Before making any cuts, I decided to try the new jig body in my Foredom configuration. unfortunately the movement of the indexing lever was limited and I had to do some ad-hoc surgery to permit desired operation.
Jigged it up to my mitre guage and made a test cut. Advanced the lever and made another cut. While pushing on the rotating gear at the top, I found that the indexer advanced one notch without manual indexer lever manipulation. Holy-shit I screamed… neighbors complained and told me to shut up! I was a bit apprehensive using this new innovation and finished the kerfing with some manual intervention.
Then I decided to try my 36 indexer. This time I tried a dry run of the "auto advance" and when it seemed to operate I proceeded to do a wheel using this feature.
One step up from holy and I screamed perforated-shit…. Yeah, neighbors again… it took about 70 seconds to do the 36 kerfs. Here is a realtime extract of my "full" video to demonstrate the 36 kerf timing.
Now to put a new spin on this (or any other indexer). It is my belief that the indexer's wheel cannot be larger than the wheel you are kerfing… that is why I come up with the geared design (and because I could). If you make the indexing wheel too small, the indexes (holes, slits or whatever) would be too close. That is why mine are near the perimeter. Now with this design the indeces are on the perimeter which is about as efficient as one can get. I will add that this is an issue as I wanted to cater for a max of 36 kerfs knowing that the average is between 18 to 24.
I made a generic indexer that could be bolted to another jig or shared between many jigs using removable bolts,
with the assortment of the various indices,
Now if the wheel to be kerfed is placed in the middle of a boxed construction with the saw blade being raised in the middle, much like this,
I could see this indexer being used inline without the need for use of offsetting gears.
Again for all those hard of hearing, I have made this video so you don't have to read the above out loud… just turn your hearing aid up to appreciate the full harmony of my table saw and dust extractor.
If your first cut is too short... Take the second cut from the longer end... LBD
Nice to see this again Alex. That modified version is a stroke of genius, I should have ordered one off you when you first made it. I ended up making an indexer from chain sprockets of a bicycle which I really only use on the horizontal for boring "bolt" holes in wheels or making the big gear wheel in Gatto's grader.
GeorgeWest ..... That indexer has parts on it NASA would have been proud to make......
You been talking to Pottz about his NASA conspiracy?
..... Lemme get this right, so you can have tire treads look evenly spaced? Incredible....
Are evenly spaced... not going for looks.
Talking about looks...
GeorgeWest ...... What the heck ya got all over yer shirt Duckie? Looks like you lost in a hot melt glue fight.....
CA, Timbermate, Titebond, spilled vino, molten cheese form pizza and other workshop consumables. That is why I promoted my attire to my nightie... It used to be embarrassing walking into church with those grotty t-shirts... too easily identifiable when I loitered around the collection plate.
If your first cut is too short... Take the second cut from the longer end... LBD
And why, pray tell, would you be loitering around the collection plate?? A possible source of income???
We love ya Duckie, nightie or otherwise. Heck if I could find some Pink crocks my size I'd wear them, at least in October to support Breast awareness. Heck I might even wear them other times.
%20-%20New%20Indexer.skp%20-%20SketchUp%20Pro%202018-003111.jpg)
%20-%20New%20Indexer.skp%20-%20SketchUp%20Pro%202018-003112.jpg)
